Since the invention of the DVD, retailers have been re-packaging old movies and reselling them in DVD format, adding "bonus material" to the discs, which include theatrical trailers, interviews with cast and crew members - and my personal favorite - deleted scenes that never made it into the movie. Many box sets of popular movie series' have been created. From the Indiana Jones trilogy, to the Terminator series to the Scream movies - many moviegoers have quickly gobbled up these "must have" collector's edition of these well-known movies. But of all the box sets and special editions of movies that have been available since the invention of the DVD - not a single one is as comprehensive, elaborate, or exciting as The Alien Quadrilogy.

Just released earlier this month, this nine disc DVD box set includes so much from all four Alien movies that you'll feel like you were involved in the production of the movies themselves. From pre and post production footage, special "Director's Cut" versions of all four movies - to promotional and theatrical trailers and television spots from each film - they could not have included anything else in this DVD collection without making a fifth movie.

When I received the Alien Quadrilogy as a holiday present from Summer, who is a Christmas gift by herself, I was blown away that she actually got it for me. She knows how much I love the Alien movies and heard my praise for the box set when it was first released, so the fact that she got me exactly what I wanted for Christmas meant as much to me as she does.

Since I got it two weeks ago, I have already watched all four special editions of each movie. Completely re-mastered with added scenes and stereo surround sound - it was like watching each movie for the first time. Not only did some of the deleted scenes further explain some aspects of the movies, but two of the movies had completely different outcomes. In the theatrical release of Alien3, the Alien "facehugger" or creature that places the Alien in the human's stomach's, impregnated a dog which then gave birth to the Alien in the film. In the special version on the DVD - it was a cow that the Alien impregnated - a complete deviation from the original film. And in Alien: Resurrection, the fourth in the Quadrilogy - the ending shows Ripley [Sigourney Weaver] and Analee Call [Winona Ryder] on Earth after their ship landed, in the original film, they never left their ship.

Besides watching and enjoying the Director's Cuts of each movie, I am now starting to watch the making of each film - and could not be more excited to see how these amazing movies were created. Last night, I watched how they made Alien: Resurrection's amazing scene called "Death From Below". In this scene, the survivors of the latest attack from the relentless Aliens have to swim from one side of a flooded kitchen to the other to make it to the ship that will save their lives. As they desperately try and make it without drowning - they discover that they are being followed by two Aliens - who chase the humans into an ambush. Not only was it amazing to see the work that went into making that scene - which included constructing the second largest water tank in movie making history, but it was incredible to learn that the actors had to endure four weeks in that tank filming the ten minute scene - and that Ryder almost backed out of the entire film due to the fact that she almost drowned as a child and has feared going under water ever since.

While I may have already watched all four movies in the box set, there is still so much more on these discs to see that I will no doubt have something to do for the next month or so. Usually when I buy a box set, I just watch the movie or movies and ignore the "special features". In fact, Wes Craven himself sent me an autographed copy of the four-disc Scream series and I have never looked at the fourth disc, which includes interviews, trailers and even screen tests. But when it comes to the Alien Quadrilogy, I plan to watch everything on all nine discs and, since I like the moves so much, I will no doubt melt the DVDs due to watching them so many times.

While the Christmas shopping season may be over, I strongly recommend the purchase of the Alien Quadrilogy. If you liked the movies, this box set will make you love them. If you have never seen the movies - there is no better way to introduce yourself to this amazing series of moves than by watching the special extended versions.

Thank you 20th Century Fox for releasing the greatest movie box set since the invention of the DVD - and thank you Summer for giving me the best Christmas present I have ever received - and one that I will enjoy for years to come.